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First Drive: BMW 2 Series Convertible

By / 9 years ago / Road Tests / No Comments

Sector: Convertible Price: £26,045–£39,255 Fuel: 33.2–68.9mpg CO2: 108–199g/Km

BMW can lay claim to having the world’s biggest-selling premium compact drop-top with the old 1 Series Convertible, having sold 130,000 globally and 21,000 in the UK. So while the 2 Series may be a different badge, it hasn’t strayed far from what’s already an attractive part of the range.

Actually, the big difference between generations is its closest rival. While the old A3 Cabriolet felt a lot like a Golf, complete with the stubby boot, the second generation is based on the A3 Saloon. So, like the BMW, it has a long and elegant profile with a yacht-like rear deck. While Audi has a wider range, the two cars are very closely priced on the competing versions, which gives this a tough rival.

The 2 Series Convertible gets a concise line-up, with five engines from the Coupe of which only one is a diesel. Predicted to take around a third of UK sales, higher in fleet, the 220d produces 188bhp and never feels like a soft option. The engine is light, progressive and muscular in its power delivery and remarkably quiet even with the roof down. It should also offer impressive real-world economy.

On that note, the most efficient version uses BMW’s excellent automatic gearbox. This adds £1,550 to the price (and £135 on top of that for the Sport version) but lifts economy from 64.2mpg to 68.9mpg and takes it down two BiK bands.

Petrols comprise the 325bhp M235i, the 2.0-litre 220i and 228i, both under 160g/km CO2, and the new three-cylinder 218i engine. This entry point to the range is £3,000 less than the equivalent diesel and offered in a fourth SE trim level, and with up to 53.3mpg combined fuel economy it could make a viable option for low-mileage user-choosers.

Whichever engine is under the bonnet, the 2 Series Convertible offers  exactly the driver-focused driving experience BMW has become synonymous for. Wide tracks, large wheels and stiff suspension contribute to excellent agility without back-breaking ride quality and figure-hugging sports seats are standard across the range. BMW expects 60% of UK buyers will opt into the M Sport trim, which is on par with the rest of its sportier bodystyles.

Open-top motoring, accessible in 20 seconds at speeds of up to 30mph, takes very little of the Coupe’s practicality or sharpness away.  Scuttle shake is barely noticeable on anything except the most rippled country roads, wind noise through the heavily insulated fabric section is minimal even at motorway speeds and though the boot space is compromised by compartments containing the roof mechanism, it’s still large enough to be useful.

Ultimately, all of these are qualities which the A3 Cabriolet can now contest, though. Choosing the right compact soft top really comes down to whether drivers prefer the sharp-edged futuristic styling and detailed design of the Audi, or the rear-wheel drive agility and driver-focused nature of the 2 Series. Neither are likely to disappoint.

What we think

The 2 Series Convertible feels much closer to the equivalent 4 Series than its predecessor, a premium-class cabriolet with style, agility and surprising practicality on its side.

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Alex Grant

Trained on Cardiff University’s renowned Postgraduate Diploma in Motor Magazine Journalism, Alex is an award-winning motoring journalist with ten years’ experience across B2B and consumer titles. A life-long car enthusiast with a fascination for new technology and future drivetrains, he joined Fleet World in April 2011, contributing across the magazine and website portfolio and editing the EV Fleet World Website.